Homeless teens hard to count

To improve services, Houston was in a federal pilot program testing different ways to count homeless young adults.

By Photos by Johnny Hanson and Eric Kayne / Houston Chronicle

on July 30, 2013 8:53 PM

Photo: Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle

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Angelo, 18, hugs Amy Devore, a mental health coordinator at Covenant HouseTuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Angelo went to the Covenant House after having personal issues with his father. He left home and found himself with no where else to go. "This place is all of what you make of it," Angelo said. "I've had my issues but I'm getting them straight." less

Angelo, 18, hugs Amy Devore, a mental health coordinator at Covenant HouseTuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Angelo went to the Covenant House after having personal issues with his father. He left home and ... more

Angelo, 18, wears a wrist band that reads "Help, Hope, Answers" at Covenant HouseTuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Angelo went to the Covenant House after having personal issues with his father. He left home and found himself with no where else to go. "This place is all of what you make of it," Angelo said. "I've had my issues but I'm getting them straight." less

Angelo, 18, wears a wrist band that reads "Help, Hope, Answers" at Covenant HouseTuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Angelo went to the Covenant House after having personal issues with his father. He left home ... more

Brandon, 18, attempts to call his probation officer to reschedule an appointment because of a job interview at Covenant House Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Brandon has been at Covenant House for a short time after he was kicked out of his home by his mother. "I've burned every bridge from my mom to my grandmother," Brandon said. "Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom and go through situations to let you know what you have." Brandon, said he is looking forward to getting his life back on track and thinks he will do so with the help of Covenant House. less

Brandon, 18, attempts to call his probation officer to reschedule an appointment because of a job interview at Covenant House Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. Brandon has been at Covenant House for a short ... more

Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal Lovings, left, speaks with Marvin Lamour at the Southwest Freeway and Forum West as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes part in a census of the homeless, Jan. 29, 2013 in Houston. less

Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal Lovings, left, speaks with Marvin Lamour at the Southwest Freeway and Forum West as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal... Photo-4981627.67303 - Westport News

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Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal Lovings, left, speaks with Marvin Lamour at the Southwest Freeway and Forum West as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes part in a census of the homeless, Jan. 29, 2013 in Houston. less

Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal Lovings, left, speaks with Marvin Lamour at the Southwest Freeway and Forum West as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

Former Covenant House resident and current volunteer Crystal... Photo-4981628.67303 - Westport News

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Covenant House volunteer and resident Kennington Adams, left, speaks with Melvin Ceasar as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes part in a census of the homeless, Jan. 29, 2013 in Houston. less

Covenant House volunteer and resident Kennington Adams, left, speaks with Melvin Ceasar as Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes part in a census of the homeless, Jan. 29, 2013 in ... more

Ace Meyer, left, speaks with Covenant House prevention specialist Michael Blockson as a survey coordinated by Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes place in a census of the homeless, Jan. 29, 2013 in Houston. less

Ace Meyer, left, speaks with Covenant House prevention specialist Michael Blockson as a survey coordinated by Covenant House, an organization dedicated to homeless youth, takes place in a census of the ... more